Metallic folding bedstead.



Patented Mar. 67 |900.

C. L. PLUNKETT. METALLIC FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

(Application filed May 26, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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Patented Mar. 6, 1900.

C. L. PLUNKETT. METALLIC FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

(Application filed May 26, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No'Mndel.)

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PATENT' CHARLES L. PLUNKETT, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES R. OROUOH, OF SAME PLACE;

ME'rALLIC FOLDING BEDSTEAD'.

sPEcIFIcATIo forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,635, cated Maren e, 19Go.

Application filed May 26, 1899, ySerial No. 718,332. (No modell) To LLZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. PLUNKETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Folding Bedsteads, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to a folding bedstead constructed entirely of metal, and has for its object to produce a bed having characteristics of stability both when in unfolded and folded positions; also, a novel means of retaining a mattress by the use yof a receivingpocket at the head of the bedstead, also,'a

folding footpiece, and a lock by which the folding portion of the bedstead is retained in lowered position.

My invention consists in the parts above named and details of construction hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure I is a perspective View of my improved bedstead in unfolded position. Fig. II is a cross-sectional View taken on the line II II, Fig. I, through the swivel, by which the side rails are connected to the legs of the supporting-frame. Fig. III is a sectional view taken on the line III III, Fig. II. Fig. IV is a sectional view taken on the line IV IV, Fig. I, through the pivot of the canopy-supporting frame. Fig. V is a view, part in elevation and part in section, taken on the line V V, Fig. I, illustrating the joint between the canopy-frame and its support and a means for securing said frame. Fig. VI is a sectional view taken on the line VI VI, Fig. I, through the canopy-supporting standards and their connecting-rod. Fig. VII is a sectional View taken on the line VII VII, Fig. I, through one of the frame-legs. Fig. VIII is a sectional view taken on the line VIII VII, Fig. I, through the lower end of one of the footlegs. Fig. IX is a vertical sectional view taken on the line IX IX, Fig. X, the bedstead being shown in lowered position in full lines and in elevated position in dotted lines. Fig. X is a top view of the bedstead, the canopyframe and standard-connecting rod being removed. Fig. XI is a detail front elevation of the central portion of the lock by which the bedstead is retained in lowered position.

l designates the main or head legs of the standards 2, and 3 are the curved brace-legs secured to the legs I. The legs l are joined by a cross-rod 4. In the lower end of each leg is a bushing 5, (see Fig. VIL) adapted to receive the casters 6. joined by connecting-rods 7, the ends of which are seated 'against the screw-necks 8 of the unions 9, (see Fig. VI,) the ends of the rods (which are of tubular form) being upset and held against the union-necks by binding-nuts 10. The standards 2 are curved forwardly at their upper ends, forming extension-arms 1I and 12.

13 designates a canopy-frame pivoted at 14:

to the extension-arm Il, from which the said 7o frame extends outwardly, then across over the bedstead, and rearwardly to the extension-arm 12, where it is secured by a pin or set-screw I5, passing through the canopy-frame and eX- tension-arm.

16 designates side rails of tubular form. Each of these rails contains a coupling member I7, adapted to be connected to a coupling 18, inserted in the horizontal portions of the brace-legs 3, the two coupling members com- 8o prising a swivel on which the side rails turn with relation to the brace-legs. The coupling member 18 is provided with a neck 19, screwthreaded interiorly (see Figs. II and III) and providing a socket for a swivel-pintle 20, car- 23 at the head of the bedstead and in angleg 5 bars 24 at the foot of the bedstead. The foot of the bedstead is supported upon legs 25, connected by a cross-bar 26, and each leg 25 contains a bushing-foot 27. (See Fig. VIII.)

The legs 25 may be rigidly secured to the anroo gle-bar 24 or hinged thereto, as may be desirable.

The standards 2 are 6o It will therefore be seen 9o 2S designates a pocket mounted on the angle-bar 23 at the head of the bed, adapted to serve as a receptacle for the head end of the mattress or bedding, whereby said mattress or bedding is supported when the folding portion of the bedstead is elevated in order to retain the mattress and bedding from falling to the floor or coming in contact with the iioor to soil it. This pocket 28 is constructed of channel-bar that affords a complete receptacle for the head end of the mattress and also serves as a counterbalance for the head end of the folding portion.

29 designates the headpiece, hinged to ears 30, projecting from the pocket 2S. The headpiece may, however, be mounted directly upon the standards 2; but when hinged to the pocket 28 it serves as an additional protection in holding the bedclothes in place when folded down upon them.

It will be readily observed that the location of the swivels connecting the side rails and the brace-legs is considerably in advance of the upright standards 2. Therefore when the folding portion of the bedstead is elevated its foot end is adapted to swing past a Vertical line from said swivel and to approach the connecting-rod 7 between the standards 2, (see dotted lines, Fig. IX,) thereby overcoming the center of gravity and producing an equipoise of the folding portion,wherebysuch portion maintains its elevated position without any fastening device and without danger of its accidental falling.

3l designates the footpiece,pivotally mounted in brackets 32 on the angle-bar 24c by means of a crank-rod The crank-rod 33 receives the pivot connection of a toothed bar 34, arranged to operate in an opening 35, contained by the angle-bar 24. Connected to the inner` end of the toothed bar 3i is a rod 3G, that leads to a ring 37, connected to toggle-links 3S, the outer ends of which are connected to pins 39, carried by slide-rods 40. The pins 39 are adapted to operate in slots 4], contained by bracket-arms 12.

f3 designates a spring' connecting the bracket-arms l2 with the ring 37 which joins the toggle-links 3S.

The outer ends of the slide-rods 40 pass through the side rails 16 and are adapted to enter holes in the inner faces of the horizontal portions in the brace-legs 3. By this arrangement the folding portion of the bedstead may be securely held in lowered position by the sliding rods 4:0, forming connection between the side rails 16 and the bracelegs, the spring 43 serving to draw the togglelinks 38 inwardly and maintain the sliding rods in projected positions. When the bedstead is to be folded, the footpiece 3l is swung inwardly, in which action the toothed bar 3i is drawn upwardly and outwardly through the opening 35, and a consequent strain upon the connecting-rod 36 is caused, resulting in a pull upon the toggle-links 39 against the action of the spring 43 and the consequent Withdrawal of the slide-rods 40 from engagement with the brace-legs 3. The footpiece 3l being hinged to the foot end of the foldingportion of the bedstead holds the bedding from dislodgment when held thereagainst by the toothed bar 34.

l claim as my invention- 1. In a folding metallic bedstead, the combination of a supporting-frame having bracelegs, a folding portion swiveled to said bracelegs, slide-rods carried by said folding portion adapted to engage said braeelegs,spring controlled toggle-links connected to said sliderods, a pivoted footpiece, a toothed bar connected to said footpiece, and a connectingrod joining said toothed bar and said togglelinks, substantially as described.

2. In a folding metallic bedstead, the combination of a supporting-frame, a folding portion swiveled thereto, and a pocket carried by said folding portion adapted to receive the mattress or bedding, and to serve as a counterbalance, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a folding metallic bedstead, of a supporting-frame, a folding portion swiveled thereto, and a box-shaped pocket arranged at the head of said folding portion adapted to loosely receive the mattress 9 and bedding; substantially as described.

CHARLES L. PLUNKETT. In presence of E. S. KNIGHT, N. V. ALEXANDER. 

